Note Owner's Manual

Disclaimer

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the complete understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers.

Why an Owner’s Manual?

This manual is designed to assist people who will be selling property or who are receiving monthly payments on a property they have already sold (mortgages, trust deeds or land contracts).

Mortgages, trust deeds and land contracts can be excellent investments. These are all referred to as “Seller Take Backs” or privately held loans (mortgages, trust deeds, etc.). But, like anything else, it pays to know a few basics…pitfalls to avoid and opportunities to explore.

Please take a few moments to read this manual. It is full of valuable information from “What to do if the purchaser fails to make a payment on time,” to “How you can sell some or all of the payments on your loan for cash.”

We suggest you keep this manual in a safe place along with your land contract for as long as you receive monthly payments. A “Payment Record Keeper” is included at the back of this manual to assist you in keeping accurate records on your land contract, trust deed or mortgage.

Introduction

A mortgage, trust deed or land contract is a written contract between a person who has sold property and the person who bought the property.

Taking back financing is a sensible way to sell property and is extremely common all over the United States. In some states they are called Trust Deeds, Contracts for Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Notes or (privately held) Mortgages, but they all represent the same thing: a way of selling property where the Purchaser “borrows” from the Seller rather than paying cash up front or borrowing from a bank. All of these vehicles are referred to as Seller Take Back financing. Let’s explore some of the important ingredients in your mortgage, trust deed or land contract now.

Although mortgages, trust deeds and land contracts are relatively simple documents, we suggest you read your documents and this owner’s manual once a year. There’s no better way to know your rights as well as your options.

For valuable advice on how to sell property using Seller Take Back financing, see “Tips for Selling Property Using Seller Take Back Financing” of this owner’s manual. When a property is sold and a Seller Take Back mortgage is used, the Seller, who is now also the Lender, is called the Mortgagee. The Buyer, who is now the Borrower, is called the Mortgagor. When a property is sold using a Seller Take Back Trust Deed, the Seller is the Beneficiary; the Buyer is now the Trustor, and there is a third party who acts as the title holder called the Trustee. When a land contract is being used, the terms Purchaser and Seller are used.

Helpful Hint

On the Payment Record Keeper (see back of this manual), write the Buyer’s phone number, particularly if it’s an unlisted number. The Buyer’s phone number is handy to have in case you need to reach him or her on short notice… if a payment is late, for instance, or if you would like the next payment sent to a summer address.

Legal Description

The seller agrees to sell to the Purchaser only a carefully described parcel of land, and here is the place in the contract where the property is given its legal description. The city, village, or township of the property is noted, together with the country and state.

Along with the actual “soil” sold, the Seller also conveys such things as any buildings, easements, tenements, hereditaments, improvements and appurtenances. (See the Glossary for a quick definition of these items.) In short, the Seller conveys everything permanently affixed to the property sold.

Helpful Hint

Next to the legal description on your contract, write in the parcel number (also known as a “Tax ID” number or a “Sidwell” number) of the property used by the tax authorities. This makes it easier to check to see if the taxes on the property have been properly paid by the Purchaser each year. An annual call to the treasurer of the county where the property is located is often required in order to find out whether the property payments are up to date. To avoid late payment penalties and the eventual sale of your property by the state for back taxes, make sure to check each year that the property taxes are paid!

Believe it or not, many contracts do not mention the actual street address of the property sold. For future reference, add it here, next the legal description.

Prices and Terms of Payment

This area contains the following figures and dates: total purchase price, down payment, beginning balance remaining (the purchase price minus the down payment), monthly payment (or annual or semi-annual payment, etc.), interest rate stated in terms of an annual rate, the date of the “balloon” payment (if any), and date the first payment is due.

Purchase Price - The purchase price (sometimes referred to as “consideration”) is negotiated between the Seller and the Buyer. Properties sold with Seller Take Back financing often sell for more than properties sold for cash because the Seller provides the all-important financing.
Down Payment - The down payment is usually 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price. From your standpoint as the Seller, the bigger the down payment the better. It represents money that does not have to be collected in the uncertain future, and it also represents the Purchaser’s commitment to the property.

A property sold with no down payment is, therefore, quite risky since the Buyer, initially at least, is no more financially committed to the property than a renter would be.

Similarly, non-cash down payments (barter items such as used cars, snowmobiles, applied rent, etc.) and down payments to be paid over time, or borrowed from friends or parents, are also riskier than those paid in cash out of the Buyer’s own pocket. (See “Tips for Selling Property Using Seller Take Back Financing.”)

Balance Remaining - Initially, this amount is the purchase price minus the down payment. The balance remaining should go down with each monthly payment made by the Borrower. An amortization schedule shows how the balance will be reduced by monthly payments made on time. (See schedule in the “Payment Record Keeper” at the end of this manual to see how the balance is reduced by monthly payments over time.)

Helpful Hint

Amortization schedules can be obtained from banks, real estate offices, and title companies for a small charge. Feel free to call us for a complimentary amortization schedule based on the balance remaining, interest rate, and payment amount of your mortgage, trust deed or land contract.

The Monthly Payment - The amount of the monthly payment is determined by the amount of the loan, the interest rate and the terms of years (5, 10, 15, etc.). The higher the amount of the loan and the interest, the higher the payment. The shorter the term of years, the higher the payment.

Loans can be structured interest only and a balloon (see section on balloons) or for a longer term of years and a balloon. This keeps the Buyer’s payment manageable and gets the Seller paid off in the desired time. If you need any assistance in structuring this type of payment plan, please call us.

Helpful Hint

Some people have the monthly payments on their loans serviced by a bank, credit union or escrow company. Be advised, however, that banks, credit unions and escrow companies do not assist you in the collection of your payments. If the Borrower gets behind or defaults, this is your problem; they merely provide a bookkeeping function. See the section of this manual entitled “Selling All or Part of Your Mortgage, Trust Deed or Land Contract for Cash” for ideas on how you can sell your contract for instant cash and never have to worry again about collecting payments owed on your land contract.

Payment Due Date - This is the date when the first payment is due. A “grace period” in some contracts permits the Purchaser a few days each month during which he or she may fail to make payments and not be considered in default. Also, some mortgages provide for a late fee if the payment is not received on time or within the grace period.

Helpful Hint

Do not let the Borrower get into the habit of making payments later than the due date or grace period. Be polite, but insist on promptness.

Balloon Payment - If your loan contains a clause that reads something like, “The entire purchase price and interest shall be fully paid within five years from the date hereof, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding,” then there is what is known as a “balloon” in the loan (a five-year balloon, in this example).

A “balloon payment” is the term used for a large, final payment on the loan. Balloon clauses usually call for the final payment to be made in 5, 10, 15 years, etc., from the original sale date.

If the Borrower fails to make a balloon payment, this constitutes default on the contract. (See the section entitled “Default” for a discussion of your options in the event your Borrower fails to “pop the balloon” by financing the last, large payment owed.

Helpful Hint

It is a good idea to notify the Borrower by letter at least four to six months before the balloon is due. This gives the Borrower plenty of time to find a way to finance or otherwise pay that last, large payment.

For advice on what to do if your Borrower is unable to make a balloon payment, call us. We face these situations frequently and are experienced in exploring all the options available to someone who is owed a balloon payment by someone who can’t pay it. We may even be able to provide you with all (or nearly all) of the money owed you by the Borrower without foreclosing or forcing a sale of the Borrower’s home.

Interest Rate - The interest rate is stated in annual terms. When recording each payment made, interest is calculated for the payment period (usually monthly) by multiplying the interest rate by the balance due and then dividing this annual interest amount by the number of payments to be made each year. This number (total interest for the period) is then deducted from the payment. The rest of the payment is known as the principal portion of the payment and is deducted from the principal balance remaining on the loan. Sound confusing? It’s really not if you follow an example. Consider a transaction that has a sale price of $75,000, a down payment of $10,000, with a Seller take back loan of $65,000, payable with monthly payments at 10%. The interest portion of the first payment will be $541.67 ($65,000 x .10 divided by 12) payments per year and the principal portion of the payment will be $85.59 ($627.26 – $541.67). The remaining principal balance on the loan after the first payment will then be $64,914.41 ($65,000 minus $85.59). (See the “Payment Record Keeper” of this owner’s manual to see a brief example of how interest is calculated and how you can easily keep records on your land contract.)

Taxes and Insurance

The person responsible for making tax and insurance payments can vary depending on the terms of the mortgage. The three most common ways to handle the payment of taxes and insurance on the property are as follows:

The Borrower pays taxes and insurance.

The Lender (Seller) pays taxes and insurance but then adds the amounts paid back to the balance on the contract.

The Borrower makes monthly contributions to an escrow account held by the Seller and the Seller pays taxes and insurance out of this ac¬count.

Helpful Hint

Regarding insurance, you should first verify the policy is issued for an amount that represents at least the full value of the amount still owed to you. (The Borrower should want to insure the prop¬erty for the full value.) Second, be sure you are listed as the mortgagee, trustee or first contract holder on the policy. This way, you will be entitled to the proceeds from any insurance claim ahead of the Borrower. If you are listed this way on the policy, you should get renewal notices each year from the in¬surance company. You should also get a notice of cancellation if the Borrower fails to keep the policy current. Finally, if you ever do get a cancellation notice, or for any reason find the prop¬erty uninsured or underinsured, immediately contact the Bor¬rower regarding this breach and purchase your own coverage until the problem is remedied.

Helpful Hint

Regarding taxes, you can determine if the taxes are current by calling the county where the property is located. We recom-mend doing this on an annual basis. The Borrower’s failure to keep current on taxes is a breach of contract and an indication he or she may not be able to afford the property, even if the monthly payments are current. There is nothing more discour-aging than foreclosing on a property only to discover that the first expense you have is several thousand dollars of unpaid back taxes.

If the Borrower ever fails to pay taxes or insurance bills, you have the right to pay them at any time after they are in default and then add the cost of those expenses to the balance of the contract. It is always a good idea, therefore, to inform the insurance company that you should be notified if there is a cancellation or some other lapse of coverage.

Borrower’s Duties to Maintain Premises

It is the Borrower’s duty to protect the value of the property until it is paid in full. This clause is important because the value of the property is what keeps the Borrower making payments. If the Borrower ever defaults and suffers foreclosure, the value of the property should enable the Seller to resell without a loss.

Most loans require the Borrower to notify the Seller in writing before the Borrower or any third party neglects the property or allows it to be used in a way that lessens its value or removes, changes, or demolishes any buildings or improvements on the premises in a way which may diminish the property’s value.

Helpful Hint

On a regular basis, drive by the property you sold. If you’ve moved out of state, have someone you know do this for you. Fundamental changes to or deferred maintenance on the build¬ings on a property can seriously diminish the value of your loan, while improvements to the property (a new roof or new land¬scaping, for instance) can make prompt payments by the Bor¬rower more likely than ever.

Default

If the Borrower fails to perform any significant part of the contract, the Seller may have the right, after notifying the Borrower in writing of the exact nature of the default, to take legal action. If the default continues, the Seller probably has the right to de¬clare the remaining balance due and payable and, if the default is not then cleared up or the loan is not paid in full, the Seller can begin foreclosing.

Defaults by the Borrower may include failure to properly main¬tain the property, failure to adequately insure the property, or fail¬ure to pay taxes on the property as they become due.

The way Borrowers most commonly default is, as you would ex¬pect, by failing to make timely payments. If a payment is ever late, we recommend taking the following steps: (1) Check the contract to see if a “grace” period exists. If so, you must honor it. (2) If no grace period exists or if it has expired, phone the Bor¬rower and ask about the payment. Insist upon payment, make a note of the date and time of the call and keep this information with your land contract. (3) On the same day as the above phone call, write a letter that identifies the default and summarizes any action the Purchaser has promised to perform and mail it, certi¬fied mail, return receipt requested. (4) If the above steps do no1 produce the desired results, contact an attorney immediately, Trying to cure a default by yourself can cause problems for you. the Seller.

Helpful Hint

If legal action is required, a Seller has the right to initiate fore¬closure proceedings. Find an attorney with experience in the area of real estate foreclosure. Also, because your attorney may be required to appear in court, it is best to hire one who lives near the property in question. This will save you from paying travel time and other unneces¬sary expenses.

Helpful Hint

Declaring a loan to be in default and starting the foreclosure process is a serious matter and should be handled by an attorney fa-miliar with the laws of the state in which the property is located. The biggest mistake made by Sellers in this area is (1) trying to take matters into their own hands, and (2) delaying the exercise of their rights. Begin to think in terms of foreclosure when the Borrower is one month behind, not three or four months.

Remember, you are not the “bad guy”…the Borrower is the one not making payments. They can sell the property, refinance the property or bring payments current. The ball is in their court, so to speak. Explain the available options and tell the Borrower you are prepared to bring legal action. After an ini¬tial phone call and a certified letter, only swift and decisive action taken with the assistance of legal counsel is likely to cause them to act. Be honest, firm and considerate. Don’t ha¬rass and don’t delay!

Helpful Hint

Keep records of all written and spoken conversations with the Borrower, including dates, times, and what was discussed. You’ll never know how or when these records will come in handy until you need them but don’t have them. Then it’s too late!

A failure to enforce any clause in your contract can, over time, establish the precedent that the clause is not binding and has no effect. In other words, actions speak louder than words. Consis¬tent conduct over a period of time, in fact, can take precedence over the actual wording on your contract in a court of law! In short, stick to the contract or be prepared to find it difficult to enforce in court.

Tips for Selling Property Using Seller Take Back Financing

Using Seller Take Back financing can be an excellent way to sell your property quickly and at a good price. As conventional fi¬nancing becomes even more costly, more difficult to obtain and more time consuming, Seller financing will become even more popular. (We estimate that approximately 15% to 20% of property sold is now sold with Seller financing.)

If you’re thinking about selling some property and taking back financing, here are some things you should know that could b beneficial to you in the future… especially if you want to sell the mortgage, trust deed or land contract for cash someday. The way a mortgage is planned and written can have a lot to do with it sales value in the future.

The Purchase Price - The purchase price is negotiated between you and the Borrower, but there are some objective standards the can be used as the basis for negotiation.

One method is to have three different Realtors do a market analysis on the property, complete with two or three “comparables each. (Comparables are properties that are comparable to the subject property and can be used to determine its market value. An average of these three analyses will usually give you a good idea of what the property should sell for. This service is often free since the Realtors will be competing for the right to list you property. (Be advised, though, that Realtors may overestimate the value of your property in order to win the right to list it.)

A second method is to hire an independent appraiser to do a complete appraisal on your property, which would include (as above at least three comparables. This method is more expensive (from $150 to $600) but is also more authoritative.
The Down Payment - The down payment should be as large as possible. A larger down payment means the Purchaser has more equity and owes less, both of which make the contract more se¬cure and thus more saleable. Remember, the larger the down pay¬ment, the more your loan is worth. Make sure the down payment is paid out of the Borrower’s pocket, not his or her parents’ pock¬ets. Politely but firmly ask where the money for the down pay¬ment is coming from and make your selling decision accordingly.

Finally, avoid “nothing down” ($0 down payment) Borrowers. Making no down payment is a shrewd way to purchase property but a poor way to sell it. Making down payments over time ($1,000 today, $1,000 in six months, etc.) is just another ver¬sion of the $0 down Borrower. Consider carefully: Do you re¬ally want to sell to a Borrower who is unwilling or unable to financially commit himself or herself to the property?
The Interest Rate - The interest rate on your loan should be close to interest rates currently charged on mortgages by banks and savings and loan associations. There are legal maximums in most states. See your attorney for details.

The Monthly Payment - The amount of the monthly payment is determined by the amount of the loan, the interest rate and the term of years (5, 10, 15, etc.) The higher the amount of the loan and the interest, the higher the payment. The shorter the term of years, the higher the payment.

Loans can be structured, interest only and a balloon (see Section on Balloons), or for a longer term of years and a balloon. This keeps the Buyer’s payment manageable and gets the Seller paid off in the desired time. If you need any assistance in structuring this type of payment plan, please call us.
Taxes and Insurance - Lending institutions generally require the buyer to pay one-twelfth of the estimated yearly real estate taxes per month and one-twelfth of the estimated insurance costs in addition to the monthly payment. At the end of the year, the money is on hand to pay the taxes and insurance. This is also your wisest strategy. Since the loan will run over a period of time, there is always the chance property taxes will be raised. Be sure to include a clause that provides for increasing the payment when this happens.
Underlying Debt - If you currently owe on a piece of property, you do not necessarily have to pay off your present land contract or mortgage. Instead, you can sometimes continue to make monthly payments in the required amount just as before. (The original obligation is often referred to as “underlying debt” since it “underlies” – is superior to and existed before – the debt owed to you on the more recent sale of the same property.) However, check the mortgage you are paying on to see if there is a so-called “Due on Sale” clause requiring you to pay off the debt if you sell the property.

Amortization - How long a loan is scheduled to run is referred to as the amortization. The amortization depends on the size of the contract, the size of the monthly payment, and the interest rate being charged. (The higher the interest rate and/or the smaller the monthly payment, the longer the amortization will be.)

For you, the Seller, the shorter the contract the better. To shorten the length of the contract, you can increase the down payment and/or increase the size of the monthly payments. Contracts with 10- to 20-year amortizations are common and are preferred to contracts with 30-year amortizations.

You may also consider including a “balloon payment” due in 5 to 10 years. A balloon payment means the full amount owed will be due at that time. Even if the balloon is not “popped” (paid in full by the Borrower), it gives you an opportunity to increase the monthly payment and the interest rate (or both), as well as set a new balloon payment one or two years down the road. By the time the balloon payment becomes due, such increases are generally easily accommodated by the Borrower and may be a preferred option to foreclosure.

As a service both to you and the Borrower, don’t set balloon dates that are too near. One and two-year balloon clauses are often un¬realistic and create unnecessary difficulties for both you and the Borrower.
The Borrower’s Credit Worthiness - Just like any lender, you have every right to information that shows the Borrower has an adequate source of income to pay the obligation. Get references; find out where he/she works, annual income, and obtain a credit report showing how promptly current debts are paid. If selling to a person with a less than commendable credit record, insist on a large down payment or find another Buyer.

Selling All or Part of Your Mortgage, Trust Deed or Land Contract for Cash

We specialize in purchasing mortgages, trust deeds and land con¬tracts. There are many ways of getting cash from your contract. Sell the whole mortgage now or, if you just need a smaller amount of money for some short-term goal, sell some payments now and collect monthly payments again in the future. Many of these plans give you 95% or even 100% of what is now due on the loan. We charge no fees, no points, and no commissions!
Why Would I Want to Sell My Loan for Immediate Cash Now?

When you convert part or all of your loan into cash, you gain several advantages in addition to immediate cash:

You don’t have to worry about the payments you receive each month slipping away on life’s little expenses.

You receive a substantial sum of cash right now -enough to accomplish some major goals.

You don’t have to worry about collecting monthly payments or servicing your contracts; we handle all of that.

You don’t have to worry about whether the taxes and insurance premiums are paid each year to protect your investment; we handle all of that.

You don’t have to worry about whether your Borrower will continue to make his or her payments.

How Can I Find Out How Much My Mortgage Is Worth?

All you need to do is call. One brief consultation with us will answer all your questions, and enable us to clearly present a few options. Decide for yourself whether turning your loan into im¬mediate cash – or keeping it – makes the most sense for you. The choice is yours.

If you have any further questions about selling property using seller take back financing or about our other services, please call. Of course, there is no obligation and all discussions are totally confidential.